5 Things: Thompson’s N’wide win

1. In the clutch: Kyle Thompson made a 7-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Scott Brown, Troy Kelly and Martin Flores. Thompson’s final-round 68 gave him a 14-under 270 total at TPC Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, N.C.

“I’m completely elated. I’m overwhelmed,” said Thompson, who won twice in 2007. He played his only PGA Tour season in 2008, making just nine of 26 cuts.

2. Check it out: Thompson’s victory was worth $99,000 and moved him from 61st to sixth on the money list ($123,378). Thompson has nearly matched his earnings from last year. He was on pace to earn a PGA Tour card in 2010 before fading late in the season. He was No. 20 on the money list in mid-August but made just $7,140 over his next nine events – missing six cuts, and finishing no better than 49th – to fall 29 spots.

3. Open up: Will Wilcox shot a bogey-free 65 in the Rex Hospital Open’s final round to finish 11th. It’s a good thing Wilcox made plenty of birdies Sunday. He’s one of several Nationwide Tour players headed to the toughest test in golf: the U.S. Open. Here’s how the U.S. Open participants fared at the Rex Hospital Open:

• Will Wilcox (T-11)

• Elliot Gealy (T-11)

• Matthew Richardson (T-25)

• Ty Tryon (T-29)

• Geoff Sisk (T-34)

• Jon Mills (T-63)

Tryon, who was making his first Nationwide Tour start of the season, shot a final-round 66 to move from 51st to 29th. He made birdie on six of his final eight holes Sunday.

4. Money, money, money: Mathew Goggin has earned just $3,422 over his past three Nationwide Tour starts, but still holds the top spot on the money list. His $195,898 is more than $43,000 ahead of No. 2 Troy Kelly. Goggin’s lead comes thank to a victory, runner-up and fourth-place finish earlier this season.

Kelly has two runner-up finishes, including this week. His other runner-up, at the Stadion Athens Classic, was worth first-place money because Kelly finished second to amateur Russell Henley.

5. Back in Kansas: The Nationwide Tour is in action during U.S. Open week. The Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, won last year by Jhonattan Vegas, will be held this week. Former Presidents Cup team member Woody Austin, who lives in Kansas, will be in the field. Austin has finished no better than 38th in 10 events on the PGA and Nationwide tours this season.